Dr. Pollak, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the development of the modern fine chemicals industry. He brings with him over 30 years experience in fine chemicals.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Jai Hiremath, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Hikal Ltd. said, "Dr. Pollak is a worldwide authority in the field of fine chemicals. His global experience and expertise will be immensely beneficial to Hikal in the coming years."

He worked for Lonza in Switzerland and the United States for more than thirty years in senior management positions with some outstanding achievements to his credit. Currently working as a consultant for the fine chemicals industry, Dr. Pollak has had several publications to his name including various articles in prestigious chemical magazines. Most recently he has published a book, Fine Chemicals: The Industry and the Business, Wiley, New York 2007.

Dr. Pollak said, "Hikal is recognized internationally as one of India's leading contract manufacturers of fine chemicals. The recent signature of important manufacturing agreements with leading US and European lifescience companies demonstrates the value of its superior managerial and technological capabilities. I am happy to become part of the growth story."

Hikal also has an Independent Scientific Advisory board consisting of Prof. Andrea Vasella from Switzerland, Prof. Govardhan Mehta and Dr. K. Nagarajan who are globally recognized experts in the field of fine chemicals.

About Hikal Ltd.:

Hikal is a reliable long-term outsourcing partner to companies in the Pharmaceuticals, Crop Protection Products, and Specialty Chemicals industry. The company has been supplying key active ingredients (AI) and intermediates, manufactured using stringent global quality standards, for it's customers in the United States, Europe and Japan. Hikal's advanced manufacturing facilities have been inspected and approved by leading global players in Crop protection and Pharmaceutical sectors. The crop protection facilities are located at Taloja and Mahad (Maharashtra). Hikal's manufacturing activities are supported by state-of-the-art research centers and pilot plant facilities located at Bangalore and Taloja respectively. The API and pharmaceutical intermediates manufacturing facilities are situated in Jigani (Bangalore) and Panoli (Gujarat) respectively.